What are the effects of insulin?

Insulin is widely used in clinical practice. It can help regulate metabolism very well, because insulin deficiency can easily cause fat metabolism disorders. It can also help regulate protein metabolism and promote the synthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid.

(1) Regulate fat metabolism

Insulin can promote the synthesis and storage of fat, reduce free fatty acids in the blood, and inhibit the decomposition and oxidation of fat. Insulin deficiency can cause fat metabolism disorders, reduced fat storage, enhanced decomposition, and increased blood lipids, which can cause arteriosclerosis over time, leading to serious cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. At the same time, due to the enhanced fat decomposition, a large number of ketone bodies are produced, resulting in ketoacidosis.

(2) Regulate protein metabolism

On the one hand, insulin promotes the cell's uptake of amino acids and protein synthesis, and on the other hand, it inhibits protein decomposition, thus promoting growth. The protein synthesis-promoting effect of pituitary growth hormone can only be manifested in the presence of insulin. Therefore, insulin is also one of the indispensable hormones for growth.

(3) Other functions

Insulin can promote potassium ions and magnesium ions to pass through the cell membrane and enter the cell; it can promote the synthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP).